Rams at Lions Pick
Two struggling teams meet this week at Ford Field when the Detroit Lions host the winless St. Louis Rams on Sunday at 1:00PM ET.
The Rams fell to 0-7 on the year with their 42-6 loss to the Colts last Sunday at home. Marc Bulger threw for only 140 yards with two interceptions while running back Steven Jackson compiled 134 yards on 23 carries in the loss. St. Louis failed to cover as 14.5-point underdogs.
The Lions had last week off, but lost to the Packers 26-0 in Green Bay in Week 6. Drew Stanton threw for only 57 yards with two interceptions off the bench, while Kevin Smith rushed for 61 yards on 15 carries.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Lions 4-point home favorites over the Rams this Sunday. The over/under total for this matchup is 43.5.
How do you decipher who is going to win between two bad teams? The Lions have a slight edge on offense with Matthew Stafford coming back, while the Rams have a small edge defensively because Detroit’s D has been brutal this season.
The key is that the Rams can’t score – against anyone. And even when they do move the ball, they usually settle for field goals or turn the ball over on their opponents’ side of the field.
For as bad as Detroit is, it should be able to beat a bad St. Louis team by more than four points. Stafford’s return should spark the Lions’ offense and hopefully Calvin Johnson is healthy enough to play because the Rams’ secondary is brutal.
Our NFL Week 8 Free Pick for this matchup is: DETROIT LIONS -4 and UNDER 43.5.
219 St. Louis Rams +4 (+175 moneyline) Over 43.5
220 Detroit Lions –4 (-210 moneyline) Under 43.5
St. Louis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
St. Louis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Detroit is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing St. Louis
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
St. Louis Rams
C.J. Ah You DE Missed Thursday Practice (ankle)
Richie Incognito G Missed Thursday Practice (foot)
Clifton Ryan DT Missed Thursday Practice (illness)
James Hall DE Limited Thursday Practice (groin)
Justin King CB Limited Thursday Practice (groin)
Detroit Lions
Zack Follett LB Missed Thursday Practice (illness)
Jason Hunter DE Missed Thursday Practice (ankle)
Grady Jackson DT Missed Thursday Practice (knee)
Jerome Felton RB Limited Thursday Practice (ankle)
Sammie Lee Hill DT Limited Thursday Practice (ankle)
Calvin Johnson WR Limited Thursday Practice (knee)
Turk McBride DE Limited Thursday Practice (head)
Matthew Stafford QB Limited Thursday Practice (knee)
Gosder Cherilus T Full Thursday Practice (shoulder)
Jordon Dizon LB Full Thursday Practice (foot)
Casey Fitzsimmons TE Full Thursday Practice (ear)
Ko Simpson S Full Thursday Practice (hamstring)
Ernie Sims LB Full Thursday Practice (shoulder)
Terrelle Smith RB Full Thursday Practice (illness)
Dewayne White DE Full Thursday Practice (hamstring)
Posted: 11/1/09 8:35AM ET